Western Cyclo-Cross league Round 2

Organised by Dream CC
Location: Ashton Court, Sunday 12 Oct 2008
Report: Craig Denning
Images: Ian Bradley, www.ianbradleyphotography.com  

After the mud and rain of one of the wettest summers in memory, the second round of the Western Cyclocross League was raced on Sunday in Ashton Court under clear blue skies, and some of the hottest temperatures of the year.

Craig Denning and David Collyer of Dream CC promoted their first event with the help of sponsors Avon Valley Cyclery, Smith Jewellers of Keynsham and Pure Beauty. Denning and Collyer's newly designed course led to a fast and technical race which tested the skill and stamina of all, from clubman to elite rider.

The senior race with a field of forty three, saw a fast start with Duncan Jamieson and Will Bjergfelt (both Felt Bicycles), and last season's overall winner Scott Chalmers (John's Bikes), breaking clear from the gun. Whilst Jamieson gradually began to put daylight between himself and the other two, Bjergfelt and Chalmers swapped the next two places between themselves, for two laps before Bjergfelt crashed heavily coming out of bright sunshine into a dark, tricky wooded section. Hitting a stump at speed he lost control, and hit the ground hard, resulting in a trip to hospital where a badly gashed hand was stitched, and a broken collarbone strapped.

Over the course of the next hour Jamieson increased his lead over Chalmers to capture the overall victory by well over two minute. The ever strong Barry Holley (VC Walcot) took third place, and Guardian writer and cycling author Matt Seaton (Mosquito Bikes) took fourth and first veteran, and was also the last rider to finish on the same lap as Jamieson. First woman was Marianne Briton (VC St. Raphael). The team prize went to Dream CC, comprising Ian Daws, Rich Miller, and Steve Coulam. Dream CC rider Chas Thursfield unfortunately had his race cut short, when his chain snapped whilst lying in a strong sixth place overall.

The youths' and children's' races were equally competitive with riders from British Cycling Go-Ride initiative boosting the numbers. Era Brook led from the beginning in the youths' to record a good win over two laps of the full circuit, with Charlie Battin and Joe Carter second and third respectively.

On a shorter, but still tricky circuit the under twelves rode for two laps to open the days events. The winner was eleven year old James Didmon from fellow eleven year old Max Berryman, with twelve year old Rufus Brickell in third. Special mention must also go to fourth placed rider, seven year old Ned Collyer (Dream CC) who showed real determination by chasing hard to stay in contention, beating children five years older than himself. The youngest rider in the race was 5 year old Dylan Bishop (Dream CC).

Round three takes place at Purdown, Bristol on Sunday 19th.

Results

Under 12

1 James Didmon
2 Max Berryman
3 Rafus Brickell
4 Ned Collyer Dream CC
5 Lyndon Hobbs Somer Valley
6 Finley Hardie
7 Ben Chapman
8 Andrew Baker
9 Sam Bishop Dream CC
10 Dylan Bishop Dream CC

Youth

1 Era Brook
2 Charlie Battin BCDS
3 Joe Carter
4 Joe Sawtelt
5 Jordan Taylor

Senior/Junior/Women/Vet

1 Duncan Jameson Felt S
2 Scott Chalmers Johns Bikes S
3 Barry Holly VC Walcot S
4 Matt Seaton Mosquito Bikes V 1st Vet
5 Scott Cornish Mud Dock/More Bar S At 1 lap
6 James Hill Las Vegas IS S
7 Jason Streather VC St Raphael S
8 Ian Daws Dream CC S
9 Pat Alexander Cheltenham CCC V
10 Richard Miller Dream CC S
11 Andy Melton Chippenham Wheelers V
12 Jeroew Weimar Johns Bikes S
13 James Miller S
14 Andy Wilson V
15 Tony Chapman S
16 John Brunt VC Walcot V
17 Marianne Briton VC St Raphael W 1st Women At 2 laps
18 Fi Spotswood For Goodness Shakes W
19 Danny Holpin S
20 Gordon Smilllie Corinium V
21 Martin Warren BCDS V
22 Mark Bemand V
23 Paul Loosemore Gloucester City V
24 Antony DeHevengham Las Vegas IS S
25 Pete Thompson BCDS S
26 Jamie Streather VC St Raphael S
27 Paul Newam Zero G V
28 Tony Bruce V
29 Stuart Berryman Dursley CC V
30 Mark Hardie Tri London V
31 Steve Coulam Dream CC S
32 Neil Langdon Climb on Bikes V
33 Mark Horton Severn RC V
34 Rob Collind Severn RC S
35 Mike Luckwell Clevedon & Dist V
36 Tom Dixon Bad Tri S
37 Edric Hobbs Somer Valley V At 3 laps
38 Mark Baker V
39 Vicky Rawlinson W At 4 laps
40 Jane Collier Las Vegas IS W
DNF Chas Thursfield Dream CC S At 5 laps
DNF Will Bergfelt Felt S
DNF David Milne V

Team

Dream Cycling Club Ian Daws
Richard Miller
Steve Coulam